Convertible stroller

ABSTRACT

A stroller including the known and accepted structure of wheels, handle and a rigid frame which supports a baby containing seat, enhanced by the fact that several selected ones of the individual elements comprising the frame which are rigid when in use, are selectively articulated and folded back on themselves lessening the exterior dimension and permitting the stroller to be used as a back and shoulder supported carrying device and further capable of being totally collapsed to a relatively flat non-bulky condition for storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Strollers, perambulators and other devices for transporting childrenwith less physical strain for the parents and greater comfort for thechild are well known.

Traditionally, strollers have necessarily been rigid and somewhat bulkyso that in use they would provide proper support for the child and keepthe risk of injury to the child to a minimum. As a contra to therequirement for rigidity, since space has become a premium, it isextremely desirable that the strollers be collapsible such that they mayeasily be stored or transported when not in use.

The desirability and convenience of transporting children on the back ofan adult is likewise well known and in the past, devices have beenmanufactured which essentially convert a backpack frame to a childcarrier through the utilization of modified support and enclosingstructure. These backpack/carrying devices are necessarily limited inthat they are not easily converted for other carrying purposes and ingeneral do not collapse. It is therefore not convenient to store thedevices when it is no longer necessary to carry the child on the back.

Prior art known to the applicant include U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,115 grantedto Miller which discloses a four wheeled stroller wherein the wheelsupporting legs are selectively collapsible upwardly transforming thestroller into a rigid backpack child carrying device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,837 granted to Kao on June 12, 1979 discloses atwo-wheeled stroller having a rigid child enclosing framework whereinthe handle may be collapsed downwardly allowing the device to beutilized as a backpack type carrier.

With the above noted prior art and the limitations thereof in mind, itis an object of the present invention to provide a device which is rigidand safe to use as a stroller but which likewise may be easily partiallycollapsed and used as a backpack type carrier and further, totallycollapsed to a convenient compact size for storage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stroller witha unitary rigid main frame member and auxiliary frame members pivotallysecured thereto such that the entire device may be collapsed fortransport and convenient storage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide alightweight collapsible stroller which includes all of the featuresnecessary for the safety and comfort of the child.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a strollerincluding selectively articulated support frame member permitting thestroller to be partially or totally collapsed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating the structure which enables the stroller to be selectivelycollapsed.

FIG. 2 is the stroller of FIG. 1 in the collapsed storing condition.

FIG. 3 is an isometric representation of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the interconnection of FIG. 1disclosing the structure which allows the braces to be selectivelyarticulated.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an alternate stroller embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the stroller of FIG. 5 in thecollapsed condition.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of a stroller of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a partial view of an alternative structure enabling thestroller to assume the collapsed position.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the overcenter hinge mechanism of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to FIG. 1, the inventive convertible, collapsible backpackstroller combination in one embodiment is seen as including a rigidsubstantially vertical, upright adjustable telescoping member 2 whichincludes a handle member 4, at its upper end and a standard set ofwheels be they singular or dual 6 at its lower end. Immediately adjacentthe lower end of the rigid element 2 is a pair of selectivelyarticulated forwardly extending arms 8 having secured to the outer endthereof, wheels 10 which are identical to the wheel 6 at the bottom ofthe main frame member 2. It is to be understood that the sets of wheelsmay be pivotally attached and may include brakes. A collapsible linkingmember, having sections 12 and 14 joined by a locking hinge member 16,is pivotally connected to the main frame member 2 at a point 18intermediate the ends of the frame member. The particular location ofthe hinge/joints 7, 11, 16 and 18 allow the arm comprising elements 12and 14 to be collapsed against the frame member 2 and the forwardlyextending arms 8 to rotate upwardly to a position adjacent the frame 2.In this condition, as will be explained hereinafter, the lowercollapsible frame is secured in position and the backpack carrier is nowin the proper configuration for being used as a backpack carrier.

At a hinge point 18, which need not be identical with the previouslydescribed hinge point, a second diagonal arm comprising elements 20, 22joined by locking hinge member 24 extends diagonally upwardly to supportrearwardly extending horizontal frame member 26 which is pivotallyconnected to frame element 22 at 28 and to frame member 2 at 30 suchthat this structure may likewise be collapsed against the main framemember 2. The articulated support comprising elements 20, 22 andhorizontal rectangular frame member 26 serve as a support (see FIG. 3)for a baby carrier sling or seat device 32 having openings 34 foreandaft such that the baby may be placed facing forwardly or rearwardly. Itis to be understood that the seat is adjustable, see phantom lines, andremovable and further that the frame member 26 is preferably coveredwith a removable pad.

Also as seen in this view-, there is provided a pair of padded shoulderstraps 35 shown in the collapsed condition against the carrier and also,in phantom, in the extended or usable condition. As will be explainedhereinafter, a padded back contacting member is provided for stabilityand for comfort of the person carrying the device.

Further to be seen in this view is included a detachable, umbrella likeshade device 36 and an additional securing strap or seat belt 38. Apouch 39, which may be removable is provided to accommodateparaphernalia necessary when one has a child.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the stroller can be seen in its collapsedposition with the umbrella 36 removed and stored adjacent the rigid mainframe member 2. As seen in this view, the front wheels 10 have beenpivoted upwardly to a position adjacent the frame member 2, the upperframe member 26 has been pivoted downwardly adjacent the frame member 2and the handle telescoped and the entire device occupies very littlevolume and may be easily stored or carried in the trunk of a vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the interrelationship of the various parts maybe more readily seen. Further to be seen are the rigid connector oraxles members 40, 42 as well as the interconnecting handle 44 and thelateral portions 46 of the frame member 26. Rear axle 40 is padded as at41 as explained hereinabove.

Further to be seen in this view are a pair of loops 48 secured to thelower portion of frame member 2 to support the umbrella-type sun shadewhen in the collapsed condition.

The enlarged view, FIG. 4, discloses a locking joint element shown, forillustrative purposes, on interconnected rigid frame members 12 and 14.The joint element includes a separate surrounding sleeve member 16supporting the hinge pins 50, 52 such that the members 14 and 12 canmove relative to each other. The outermost portion of surrounding member49 is open adjacent one of the two elements such that the element canpivot away from the other element to collapse and yet is firmly held inplace and reinforced in the extended position. For security, a sliding,overlying sleeve 54 is utilized to further assure that the elements willnot collapse from their extended position. Sleeve 54 is moved upwardlyon the adjacent member to permit articulation and slid downwardly overthe joint to prevent accidental collapse.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment is shown which discloses therigid main frame member 80 extending at a diagonal to the horizontal andfrom the set of forward wheels 82 to a rearward adjustable telescopinghandle 84 which has removably or pivotably secured thereto a sun shade86. Similarly but not identical to the previously described embodiment,the rigid spacing member 88 causing separation between the sets ofwheels 82 and 90 is pivotally secured to the lower end of rigid member80 and the ability of support member 92 comprising elements 94 and 96 toarticulate allows the wheels 90 to pivot upwardly out of the way whenthe device is being used as a backpack carrier. A means for securing thewheels in an upward position will be provided.

For total collapse of the stroller, the articulated member 98 consistingof the elements 100, 102 articulates allowing the rigid frame member 104supporting the baby carrier to collapse downwardly against the framemember resulting in a collapsed unit as shown in FIG. 6. It is to benoted that this model likewise includes a set of padded shoulder straps106 for utilization when being used as a backpack device, a bag 108 forcarrying additional items and a baby support sling or carrier seat 110and further, the wheels may be double and capable of swiveling caninclude brakes. The sun shade may be moved upwardly and downwardly withthe telescoping adjustable upper handle portion 84 of the rigid member80. Shade 86 may be removable or pivotable about handle 84 to acollapsed condition.

Referring now to FIG. 7, as shown in this rear elevation view, a paddedsupport element 112 is added rearwardly of the rear axle to provide astabilizing member against the back of the person carrying the devicewhen the device is used as a backpack carrier. It is to be understoodthat although not a part of the present invention, various paddings maybe added when necessary to enable the device to be efficiently utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a bottom portion of the third embodiment of thepresent invention is shown wherein the rigid main support 120 extendsfrom the front wheel 121 to form the basis for a telescoping andadjustable handle. The lower rear support 122 as opposed to beingarticulated as described above is a single member pivotally secured to120 at the lower end of which is secured a set of wheels 124. Thespacing and rigidifying member joining wheel sets 121 and 124 isarticulated enabling collapse.

The particular hinge preferred for this structure comprises elements 126and 128 joined by an overcenter locking member 130 as best seen in FIG.9. As seen in FIG. 9, elements 126 and 128 pivot within the centrallocking sleeve member 30 which is open at the bottom such that themembers can be lifted upwardly to collapse but when moved to adownwardmost position, they abut pins 132 and the upper limits of theinverted U-shaped collar member 130.

Thus, as can readily be seen, the present invention allows a person totransport a child over smooth terrain in relative safety and comfort byusing the device as a stroller whereas when the terrain becomes unevenor when space becomes a premium, it may be immediately converted to abackpacktype carrier without reducing the comfort or safety of thechild. When the device is not in use, it may be readily collapsed andstored within a small area. It is to be understood that although notspecifically a part of the present invention, items such as swivelwheels, pouches for carrying other articles, brakes and the like mayeasily be included and are understood to be a part of the preferredembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, for use in transporting a small child,which may be conveniently carried on the back or rolled on the groundand further may be completely collapsed for transport or storage, saiddevice comprising:a rigid rectangular main frame member extending from aposition at the lower portion of the device to position at the upperportion of the device and forming a handle; at least two set ofindependently collapsible auxiliary frame members movable from a firstposition adjacent the main frame member to a second position extendingoutwardly therefrom; pivotable rectangular third frame members, eachsecured to the main frame member and one set of the independentlycollapsible auxiliary frame members such that they formed rigidtriangular elements having adjacent vertices when viewed from a positionto the side of the device, when said auxiliary frame member is in thesecond position, a set of wheels at the lower end of the rigid mainframe and at the lower end of one set of collapsible auxiliary framemembers, and a baby supporting seat secured to and enclosed by one ofsaid third rectangular frame members.
 2. A device as in claim 1, whereinone of the interconnected sets of the collapsible auxiliary framemembers or the third frame members is articulated to allow the othermember to remain rigid and pivot about its connection to the main framemember.
 3. A device as in claim 1, and further including a pair ofshoulder straps connected to the main frame member such that the devicemay be carried on a persons back.
 4. A device as in claim 3, wherein thelower auxiliary frame member and interconnected rectangular frame membermay be collapsed during use as a back carried device.
 5. A collapsiblebaby stroller convertible to a back pack type carrier, comprising:a pairof identical side frame members each frame member comprised of a pair ofsimilar triangles having one set of adjacent vertices, colinear sides atleast one of which is unitary members, each of the triangles having oneof side selectively and independently movable from a first operableposition to a second collapsed positon substantially parallel andadjacent to the side having a common vertex and each side pivotablyconnected to its adjacent side, a pair of parallel axle meansinterconnecting the corresponding pair of lowermost base members atopposite ends thereof and supporting wheel means axle adjacent each endof the axle, a pair of parallel top frame member interconnecting thecorresponding pair of uppermost base members at opposite ends thereof,forming a rectangular rigid upper frame, baby supporting pouch meanssuspended from the upper frame, handle means extending upwardly for easein moving the stroller, and strap means to support the partiallycollapsed stroller in a carrying configuration on a person back.
 6. Astroller including wheels and a handle convertible to a back pack babycarrier and completely collapsible for storage, comprising:a pair ofparallel first rigid leg means extending on an angle from the frontwheels diagonally upwardly to the handle, two pairs of interconnectingbrace members interconnecting respectively; the front and back wheels,and the rigid legs means, forming a first triangle therewith, one of thepair of brace means being selectively and independently articulated, theother of the pair of brace means being rigid, a second set of parallelbrace means forming a rigid, inverted second triangle having one vertexadjacent a vertex of the first triangle to support a portion of a babycontaining pouch, rigid horizontal interconnecting means joining eachpair of wheels, the upper end of the rigid pair of legs and the oppositeend of the pouch, thus forming a rigid pouch support.